Chewing Gum Statistics For 2008

Sugar Free Chewing Gum statistics for 2008 on a US level indicate some terrific information about consumer candy and confectionery favorites. Leading the Sugarless Brands are Orbit and Trident.

Orbit was reported as having sales of $218 million for a 3.2 percent increase from the prior year. Trident sold $138.6 million for an 8.1 percent increase from the prior period. Wrigley Extra had disappointing revenue growth. This is most likely why the company has recently reformulated the Extra including changing the packaging. Helping in the Wrigley portfolio is their Eclipse product offering which had and increase in revenue of 3.9 percent and the Wrigley 5 which is a big hit showing a sales increase of 394 percent within the US of 85M, 53M in units. Wrigley Eclipse also had strong US performance of 104M with a 3.9 percent increase although in the US there was a 17 percent decrease in units.

Additional sugar free gum that made the leaders list is Dentyne Ice, Trident White, Orbit White and Ice Breakers Ice Cubes. Dentyne Ice had disappointing revenue both in the dollars and in units. Trident White also had similar decreases in dollars and in units. Orbit White had a 15 percent revenue increase but also showed a 7 percent decrease in units sold. These three products all have a hard coated shell. Consumer trends in 2008 indicate this is not a preference of consumers.

Overall the Sugar Free market grew at a US level to just over 1 billion dollars for a healthy 11.8 percent increase in dollars sold. The market had significantly less growth of 1.6 percent for overall units of 819 million.

To stimulate market growth manufactures are expanding product offerings through new flavors, sleek packaging and features. Examples of this are the use of Green Tea and Ginseng now being used in product formulations.

In an effort to further increase consumer spending these type products are now being manufactured and promoted for their health benefits such as the inclusion of antioxidants, energy enhancements and dental hygiene. Manufacturers are also coming out with many new flavors and continued packaging enhancements to aid in convenience.

Wholesale candy and retail candy stores will certainly have to expand their span of chewing gum product offerings in 2009.